Ten new and expanding companies from across Prince Edward Island have received grants of $25,000 each from Innovation PEI’s Ignition Fund to help support the development and growth of their businesses.
“This funding will go a long way toward the implementation of our business plan and will give us an excellent head start,” said Rosemond MacDougall of Heatherdale Organic Food Products. “The whole process was also a great exercise to help fine tune our plans and solidify the way forward for our company. We are very excited for the future and we are incredibly optimistic about our potential for growth.”
The Ignition Program was launched in June of 2014 to assist eight startups on Prince Edward Island by providing them with an investment of $25,000 to develop their businesses. Innovation PEI received 109 submissions in 2015, an increase of 63 since the first year of the program. The number of recipients also increased from eight to ten, a commitment made Premier MacLauchlan during the provincial election.
The following companies were successful in their applications to the program in 2015; Affinity Immuno Inc., Charlottetown; Ahead in the Game, Charlottetown; Black Whale Salt Co., Kensington; GradPeek, Charlottetown; Handyman Labs Inc., Charlottetown; Heatherdale Organic Food Products, Montague; Moth Lane Brewing, Ellerslie; Precise.ai Inc, Kensington; SkyMetro UAV Techology Inc., Summerside; TactiCal, St. Peters Bay.
“To grow our economy, expand our exports and create jobs for Islanders, we need to support new businesses that have strong potential for success,” said Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald. “The Ignition Fund helps new and expanding companies when that help is needed most; in the early stages of development. I offer my sincere congratulations to the ten successful applicants to the program in 2015.”
For more information on Innovation PEI and the Ignition program, visit www.innovationpei.com.
BROADCAST COPY
Ten startup companies from across Prince Edward Island have received support from the province for the development of their businesses through Innovation PEI’s Ignition Fund.
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald announced the successful applicants today. Each company will receive $25,000 through the fund.
The Ignition Program was launched in June of 2014 to assist new and expanding companies on Prince Edward Island. Innovation PEI received 109 submissions from individuals interested in pursuing entrepreneurship in the province.
Ignition winners included companies in the unmanned aerial vehicle, information technology, food, bioscience and manufacturing industries.
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Cutline: Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald (centre) joins the successful applicants into this year's Ignition Fund.
(L to R) Dr. Mel Crane, Precise.ai Inc.; Amber James, GradPeek; Dr. Jay Adamsson, TactiCal; Gilles Daigle, SkyMetro UAV Tecnology Inc.; Tara Costello, Ahead in the Game; Minister Heath MacDonald; Gerald Chisholm, Handyman Labs Inc.; Rosemond MacDougall, Heatherdale Organic Food Products; Eric Wagner, Moth Lane Brewing; Sean Wall, Darren Blanchard and Brandon Hood, Black Whale Salt Company.
Media Contact:
Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
(902) 368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca
Backgrounder
Affinity Immuno Inc. – Jon Zuccolo
Affinity Immuno Inc. will use the invasive green crab as a starting material to develop a novel biochemical widely used in pharmaceutical, medical device, and research agent manufacturing.
Ahead in the Game – Tara Costello M.A., C.S.P.A.
Creator of Ahead Sport Mind Training app Mental Performance Consultant, providing in-person and distance-based consulting to athletes regionally and nationally
Black Whale Salt Company – Sean Wall
Black Whale Salt Company is the producer of handcrafted 100% organic sea salt.
GradPeek – Amber James
GradPeek uses an innovative screening platform that helps match millennial job seekers with potential employers.
Handyman Labs Inc. – Gerard Chisholm and Robbie Chisholm
Handyman Labs Inc. will manufacture and distribute a vinyl siding protection and restoration product.
Heatherdale Organic Food Products – Rosemond MacDougall
Heatherdale Organic Food Products produces a range of high end culinary products including oils, seeds and grain products.
Moth Lane Brewing – Eric Wagner
Moth Lane Brewing is a 7-barrel brewing facility located along the Conway Narrows in West Prince.
Precise.ai Inc. – Matt Crane
Precise.ai Inc. has developed a new product to accurately predict ovulation in cattle.
SkyMetro UAV Technology Inc. – Gilles Daigle
SkyMetro UAC Technology Inc. is a producer and seller of and trainer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) located in Slemon Park, Summerside.
TactiCal – Dr. Jay Adamsson
TactiCal is a web application - an online tool and business intelligence subscription service to plan, manage, execute and measure communications plans.